Battle of the Sporting Heroes

[The Sean]

Gretzky and Ali.

When I've voted on here, I've usually gone for the person I thought had the most outstanding record. Agassi and Lomu probably as outstanding in that regard as Ali, and I loved the way Agassi went from uppity **** to ultimate gentleman.

But really, if you're talking heroism, I just can't go past Ali. The man sacrificed his livelihood for his beliefs, when the easiest thing in the world would have been to have gone to the Nam and fight some exhibitions. Of course, Lomu and Agassi may well have done the same had they been put in that position, but they weren't.

They each dominated their sport, but only Ali transcended sport.

Every word of this.

 

[grecian]

Kluft & Ali

 

[BoyBrumby]

Gretzky; probably as close as any other major team sport has come to a Bradman, even if I admittedly know sweet Fanny Adams about it, really.

Lomu; just an absolute force of nature. To use Will Carling's description, "a freak", in the nicest possible way. Ali was a great boxer, but occasionally an extremely mediocre human being, which has been largely glossed over in his ascension to living saint over the last couple of decades. He wasn't above calling Joe Frazier an "Uncle Tom", which Smokin' Joe has still never quite forgiven.

 

[GIMH]

Kluft, Ali

 

[Simon]

Battle #13
Magic Johnson 4
Carolina Kluft 3
Wayne Gretzky 10

Battle #14
Muhammad Ali 8
Jonah Lomu 6
Andre Agassi 5

 

[Simon]

Battle #15

Michael Johnson (American) - Athletics

Honours
4 time Olympic Gold Medalist
8 time World Championship Gold Medalist
8 time World Record Holder
Winner of 42 career professional titles
Member of USA Track and Field Hall of Fame
1996 WWOS Athlete of the Year

vs

Joe Montana (American) - American Football

Honours
192 career games
273 career touchdowns
4 time Superbowl Winner
8 time Pro Bowl Selection
3 time All-Pro First team selection
3 time Superbowl MVP
1989 Offensive Player of the Year

vs

Norm Provan (Australian) - Rugby League

Honours
256 career club games
14 tests for Australia
19 games for New South Wales
10 time premiership winner with St George
Named in Australian Rugby Leagues team of the cenutry in 2008
Named as one of the top 100 players of all time
Holds the record for most grand final appearances (11)
1957 World Cup winner
Member of Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame

------------------

Battle #16

Lance Armstrong (American) - Cycling

Honours
7 Tour de France Titles
22 Tour de France Stage wins
1993 World Cycling champion
2001 Tour de Suisse winner
1993 World Championship Gold Medalist
2000 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist in Mens Time Trial
4 time Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year
2000 Worlds Most Outstanding Athlete Award
2003 Reuters Sportsman of the Year
2003 Laureus World Sports Sportsman of the Year
2000 Laureus World Sports Comeback of the Year

vs

Joe Louis (American) - Boxing

Honours
68 career fights for 65 wins
51 wins by Knock out
#1 Heavyweight Boxer of all time ranked by ESPN
#1 Heavyweight Boxer of all time ranked by IBRO
25 successful title defences in a row (Record in Division)
#1 Ranked Greatest puncher of all time by Ring magazine
World Champion for 12 years

vs

Annika Sorenstam (Swedish) - Golf

Honours
90 Tournament wins
10 Major Tournament wins
Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame
8 LPGA Player of the Year Titles
6 time Vare Trophy winner
2004 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year
9 time Swedish Golfer of the Year
8 time Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year

 

[GIMH]

Johnson

Armstrong

 

[grecian]

I watched quite a lot of gridball in the eighties, really liked Montana, Thiesman, Riggins, Marino, Mcmahon The Raiders defense (sic) et al, but have since lost interest, and now dislike it quite a lot so will vote for Johnson

Joe Louis

 

[Blewy]

Pains me to go past Provan but i went with Johnson..

In the 2nd, i went with Sorenstam, Only because i've never been a fan of Cycling.

 

[fredfertang]

A couple of Joes - Montana and Louis

 

[Jamee999]

Montana and Armstrong

 

[PhoenixFire]

Montana and Armstrong, with Armstrong being the biggest legend in sport for mine.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Provan and Armstrong.

 

[Johnners]

Johnson (saw has last ever 400m live, was gun) & Armstrong

 

[NUFAN]

Michael Johnson and Lance Armstrong.

What a great battle re: Ali, Lomu and Agassi btw.

 

[pinchy81]

Montana and Armstrong

 

[Somerset]

Michael Johnson and Lance Armstrong.

 

[Burgey]

Provan

And

Armstrong

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Provan and Armstrong

 

[Simon]

Wont be another battle until tomorrow morning, apologies.